Today’s assassination of Benazir Bhutto is also an occasion to reflect on the impact of the Catholic Church in Muslim-majority Pakistan. As this story from 2005 notes, “Catholic missionaries have educated some of Pakistan’s most influential politicians,” including Bhutto as well as current Pakistani president Pervez Musharraf.

Christians and Muslims in Sangla Hill said they previously enjoyed good relations.

“We even used to attend each other’s weddings,” said Botta Masih Shindhu, a local Christian leader. “This is the first time we have seen anything like this in our lifetime.”

“The attackers came from outside this town,” said Mufti Muhammad Zulfiqar Rizvi, leader of the largest mosque in the city. He denied allegations that the crowd was incited over the mosque loudspeakers.

“I tried to stop them. I told them there should be no violence against any religious house,” said the bearded, smiling man. “But they would not listen.”